I recently saw a ‘resignation’ letter titled: “Withdrawal as Delegate to the Upcoming Ordinary Congress” trending on social media platforms, especially football platforms, purportedly signed by the Vice Chairman of Karene District Football Association, Dauda Hoday Conteh. The letter’s chapeau is worth discussing, especially as it touches on and concerns issues I have raised in previous articles, particularly the one entitled “SLFA Article 21(2): My Take.” In that article, I extensively discussed district representation at Congress and noted a district chairman’s sanctity and exclusivity to represent his district. If the purported resignation has merit, it is a serious embarrassment for SLFA, especially the Secretariat, for reasons I will discuss in the ensuing paragraphs.
The ‘resignee’ claims to have been appointed by “… a cross-section of the [District] Executive in November [2024].” It would be concerning if this were true, and the Secretariat still accepted his ‘nomination.’ Let’s be clear, even if the entire executive had appointed him, that appointment would still have been illegal in the context of Article 21(2) of the SLFA Constitution. As noted in that article, the phrase “appropriate body of the member” is not defined in the Constitution. The Secretariat should have refused such nomination by “a cross-section” of the district executive, arbitrarily arrogating such power. Their failure shows their incompetence or complicity in causing disaffection or ill-will among stakeholders in the district.
On a positive note, Dauda Hoday Conteh’s ‘resignation’ aligns with my submissions regarding district representation in Article 21(2). In that piece, I emphasized that it would be ridiculous, absurd, and legally unsound to deprive a district chairman of his right to represent his district as a delegate at football’s most significant gathering in our country. I further noted that if district stakeholders no longer trusted a chairman’s ability to lead, there were legal procedures to oust him. However, until that was done, a chairman could not legally be deprived of the right to represent his district at any regularly convened football gathering.
Sadly, the SLFA did not adhere to that unpaid, unsolicited, legally sound advice. Thankfully, Mr. Conteh has realized that he may have been hoodwinked to usurp a delegate status to be used as a pawn in the political chess game, which would dent his integrity and future political aspirations. His ‘resignation’ letter further indicts the Secretariat’s failure to refuse his ‘nomination’ from the outset, because the substantive chairman was present and inclined to attend. It reads in part, “considering that the substantive Chairman is alive, well, and fully prepared to represent the District at the Congress, I believe it is only right and honourable that I step aside in deference to his authority and presence.” It continues, “I do not wish to be seen as going against the Chairman, who remains my boss and under whose leadership I continue to serve.” [Emphasis mine] This, without more, is an own goal conceded by SLFA.
Mr. Conteh should be commended for his “… deep sense of respect and loyalty to the [district] and its leadership.” He acted honourably to “step aside,” even though that nobility initially went on sabbatical. His well-articulated reasons for ‘stepping aside’ euphemistically tell the Secretariat they ought to know better; it leaves a slur on their sound reasoning ability. However, they have one more opportunity to save whatever is left of their integrity regarding accrediting district delegates. With Congress convening in a few days, it would be prudent for them to revisit district representations to rectify any wrongs already occasioned to ensure a smooth Congress. In any case, Vice Chairman Conteh’s bold and legally correct decision is a standard worth emulating in other districts facing similar challenges ahead of Congress.
May common sense prevail!
